A DRUG dealer has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after being caught in Northwich.

Alan Andrew McHugh, 30, admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, and having a bladed article when he appeared at Chester Crown Court last Tuesday.

He was pursued and finally arrested in Greenall Road, North-wich, on Thursday, December 7, after police spotted him in a car driving along Middlewich Road, Rudheath.

They followed the vehicle until it came to a stop in Victoria Road, where McHugh got out and made off.

When they caught him they discovered he was carrying Class A drugs with a street value of £1,600, more than £600 in cash and a lock knife.

The court also ordered McHugh, who gave a Liverpool address, to give back £678.29 of stolen goods and the forfeiture, destruction and disposal of a black adidas bag and its contents, a number of illegal substances, two mobile phones and a silver lock knife.

PC Leanne Huddart, of Northwich police, who arrested the offender with colleague PC Rob Astbury, said: 'I hope this case serves as a warning to others linked to the drugs network .

'We will not tolerate their behaviour. We are well-equipped to catch and take positive action against them.

'Law-abiding people should not have to suffer the detrimental impact of drug-related activity. I encourage anyone who is suffering to stand up and be counted by getting in touch with their local officers so we can work together to keep our communities safe.

'We take all offences seriously, including drugs offences. The sentence passed shows the courts share this view.

'People can rest assured we will continue working in this way - making arrests and pursuing charges if we suspect offences are taking place.'